Forum Discussion

Red_Eagle's avatar
Red_Eagle
Explorer
Dec 17, 2016

Route from Kalispell, Mt to Banff, Canada

Plan on driving up to Banff, Canada after camping in Kalispell, Montana. Trying to decide whether to take hwy 93 north or hwy 2 and hwy 89 around Glacier NP and hwy 2 in Canada up toward Calgary, then hwy 1 to Canmore. Haven't decided to camp in Banff or in Canmore. We're pulling a 31' 5er (8,000 lb) w/2015 GMC 2500. Would appreciate suggestions on best route. Plan on camping 4 nights while visiting Banff and Lake Louise area. We will head towards Vancouver,BC after visiting the Banff area. Would Golden,BC be a nice alternative site while visiting Banff/Lake Louise area ? Thank you for your suggestions.
Roads and Routes
  • slickest1's avatar
    slickest1
    Explorer
    Dec 19, 2016
    If it were me I would go the 93 route. We traveled 89 last summer in our 38 ft. coach and toad and it really was not that scenic for one thing and the road is winding ad alot of it has no shoulder. It wasn't the worst road I have been on but was not really relaxing at all.
  • romore's avatar
    romore
    Explorer II
    Dec 17, 2016
    Highway 2 is pretty monotonous, 22 to Bragg Creek although a two lane is much more scenic and you miss Calgary which except for the annual stampede is just another city. Golden is a little far from Banff to be a convenient base camp, Canmore is better, although it is close to Yoko NP which is beautiful.
  • paulj's avatar
    paulj
    Explorer II
    Dec 17, 2016
    For crossing the Rockies, US2 and BC/AB 3 (Crowsnest) are equally easy.

    Going up the west side, US93/BC93,95 to Golden is in the Rocky Mtn Trench, and relatively flat. 93 branches off and goes through Kootenay Nat Park to Banff NP. That's a bit higher but still easy and scenic. Hwy 1 east from Golden goes through Yoho NP to Lake Louise. 93 from Lake Louise to Jasper is the Ice Fields Parkway, and arguably the most scenic drive in these parks.

    Go to the Canada Nat Parks website, and download the 'newspaper' describing all these mountain parks. Or just spend time browsing the park pages.

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